“That we know of.” Warner studies the live feed. “If we split into two teams to penetrate each wing, we have an even dispersal of assailants to target. Lethal force is to be avoided.”
When Axel opens his mouth to object, Warner raises a hand to cut him off.
“This isn’t our country or laws, Ax. If local authorities want to prosecute, we will respect their wishes. Self-defence is permissible, but we don’t need to piss off the Estonian government today.”
“Understood.” Axel bobs his head.
“Good.”
Shifting between the different feeds to take a closer look, Rayna studies each frame. The quality really is terrible. Better than nothing but still a far cry from the clear picture we’d hoped for.
“I’m not seeing any signs of a prisoner.” She squints at the screen. “There are what look like multiple rooms which could be holding cells. Hard to say from here, though.”
“Bollocks.” Warner slams his palm onto the table.
“It was a long shot.” Hyland studies the laptop screen, his neck muscles twitching. “We can’t be sure that Gracie is being held here without infiltrating the building.”
“It’s a huge risk.”
“We’ve faced worse odds.” He grins at our team leader.
“One day, our luck will run out.” Warner fails to summon a matching response.
My gaze bounces between the two men. Neither are enthused by our odds. Fear coils around my insides, watching them internally debate. When Warner’s shoulders drop, I feel myself release a breath.
“Let’s hope that day isn’t today. This is our shot—we have to take it. If Gracie isn’t here, we clean house to weaken Madden’s operation then move to the secondary location.”
Hyland’s chin dips in solidarity. “Agreed.”
Dividing up our numbers takes a great deal of arguing. With our injured members evenly dispersed, I end up paired with Warner and Axel. Naturally, his asshole brother insists on accompanying us. God forbid he let his prize out of sight.
Blaine opts to accompany Hyland, Archer and Oscar on the Beta Team, leaving Kyle to hold the emergency exit from above for our quick getaway. The surly sniper manages to hold back a comment about the last time he watched chaos unfold below him.
“Alpha Team will approach from the west entrance, taking this fire escape.” Warner’s pointer finger trails over the plans. “Beta Team, secure the eastern exit then ascend from there. Any remaining targets will be boxed in between us.”
Everyone hums their understanding, the mood turning frosty with anxious anticipation. Tension fills the air, and suddenly, our surroundings feel a hell of a lot more threatening.
“This is fun and all.” Gunnar eyes us all disdainfully. “But I do have other places to be. Can we stop standing around with our dicks in our hands and get this done?”
“No dick here,” Rayna combats.
I roll my eyes. “Nor here.”
“Yes, hilarious.” Gunnar moves to rest a hand over the knife sheathed in his vest. “I can clear that whole building myself in three minutes. If you wish to be a part of it, let’s move out.”
Warner eyes him. “Get ready. We leave in ten.”
The team disperses to fasten Kevlar and distribute weapons, leaving me lingering at the table’s edge. I stare at the video feed of Madden’s lair, a sickening twinge curling in my stomach.
“Em?” Axel shifts to my side.
“Last time we did this, I lost myself.” My voice weakens to a croak. “I don’t want to become that person again. I want to let 768 go.”
“You’re not her, Em,” he whispers tenderly.
“Aren’t I?”
Placing his hands on my hips, he pushes me backwards to step into my direct line of sight. I peer up at Axel, the vivid flames that stain his honey-dewed eyes and all the love that fuels them.
